Using deliberate gestures, forceful language, numerous references to case law and a healthy dose of confidence, Gleason and Holly, a 19-year veteran of the bench, went back and forth.

Gleason, a 15-year-old high school sophomore who later said Holly was intimidating, held her own with the judge.

And thus began Round 3 of this year's 2013 San Joaquin County mock trial competition, a hypothetical exercise that tests critical thinking, speaking ability and legal knowledge.

The mock trial competition is a 20-year tradition in the county. It is sponsored by the San Joaquin County Bar Association, the Laurence Drivon School of Law at Humphreys College and the San Joaquin County Office of Education.

Gleason, a student at Venture Academy, hopes to attend Brigham Young University in three years and eventually become a lawyer. On Saturday morning, she hid her nerves. Gleason admitted there is an adrenaline rush for students involved in the intense courtroom setting, however fictitious it might be.

"Sometimes I get so excited that I think I'm going to pass out," Gleason said after court was adjourned.

She and her classmates, who filled all of the courtroom positions except judge, impressed the scoring panel of four lawyers sitting in the jury box.

Venture's all-girl legal team defended Adrian Vega, a prominent resident of the make-believe community of Hidden Valley. Under the scenario argued all week, Vega, son of the mayor, was charged in a hit-and-run accident involving a bicyclist.

Eleven high schools were involved in the mock People v. Vega case, and they took turns at defense and prosecution.

Dozens of students filled six courtrooms Saturday on two floors of the courthouse in downtown Stockton.

Annie Cunial, in charge of special events with the county Office of Education, was coordinator of the mock trial.

Pitted against Venture's defense team in Round 3 was the all-girl lineup of three prosecutors from Merrill F. West High School. They were trying to prove that Vega drove the car that hit bicyclist Cameron Douglas.

Both teams were praised by the lawyers scoring their exercise.

Holly said he was impressed by the students' poise and preparation. He issued a verdict that had no bearing on how the respective schools performed.

"The key issue is the identity of the driver," he said. "It is clear that a crime occurred, and there is permanent disability to the bicyclist. But there is reasonable doubt regarding who was driving, thus Mr. Vega is not guilty and free to go."

In 2012, Venture Academy won the mock trial competition but this year, Tracy High, the 2010 champions, prevailed and will compete next month at the state level. Venture finished second.

When Round 3 ended, Gleason quickly packed up her notebook and, along with her classmates, headed to another courtroom. She and her classmates had to flip hats; this time they would prosecute Vega.

Gleason said she will be back for two more years of mock trial. "It's really fun, and I am planning to go into it someday. Plus, it's good preparation for college.